Cottage Packing List: 15 Essentials To Bring On Your Trip

It's time to load up the car, drive to your home-away-from-home and spend the weekend unwinding on the dock.

But before you get your relax time on, make sure you've packed your cottage essentials so you're not left hanging without a much-needed supply.

Even if you're going for a long weekend, it can take a while to put together your items — from food and charcoal for the BBQ to kitchen utensils and first aid supplies.

It's also important to note whether you're a cottage owner, renter or a guest, as cottage hosts may already have some of these items.

If you're renting or going as a guest, make sure to ask the owner whether they have these items to spare yourself from using up room in the car. Or, maybe the host will appreciate it if you can bring up a few extra things. It's always polite (and beneficial) to ask!

Check out our essential cottage packing list so you don't forget a thing. And it doesn't matter whether you're going up for two days or a couple weeks, you're going to want to remember these important items.

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Essentials To Pack For Your Cottage Trip

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If you’re renting a cabin, be sure to bring print-outs of rental information and the owner’s contact information. If you have traveller’s insurance, bring those papers along as well.

While you may want to spend most of your time relaxing, it’s a good idea to have some rough plans in mind. Remember to print out directions to the cabin, and nearby emergency spots like hospitals and clinics. Also bring a list of outdoor activities and restaurants in case you feel like getting out into civilization.

This is probably one of the most important things you’ll need to bring with you. Adjust it based on your specific needs, but carry these essentials (among others).
Key Items To Remember: Health cards, painkillers, bandages, gauze, antiseptic cream, sunscreen, insect repellent, Polysporin, Band-Aids

Make sure you have everything they’ll need to be comfortable away from home, and also have a great time. It's also a good idea to know the number of a local vet and/or emergency animal hospital.
Key Items To Remember: Food, water, bowls, brush, towel, lint rollers, gloves and bags, shampoo, toys, anti-itching cream, tweezers, tick remover, wound cream/cleaner, Polysporin

What you pack for your children will depend on their age, interests and specific needs.
Key Items To Consider: Diapers, colouring books, toys, special medication, baby food/milk

Remember, traffic can get heavy on a long weekend, and there are some essentials you'll buy beforehand that need to be stored in a cooler.
Key Items To Remember: meat products, ice, eggs, juice, milk, cheese, drinks

Keeping things simple is the way to go here too. There will be exceptions, but try to bring food that requires limited assembly and won’t go bad without a fridge (just in case).
Key Items To Remember: Spices, cooking oil, tea/coffee, canned food (beans, tuna, soups), snacks, bread, jam/Nutella

There's an endless list of things you could lug to the cottage for the kitchen, but even if you need to bring everything, it’s better to opt for minimal items.
Key Items To Remember: utensils, dish towels/paper towels, paper plates, napkins, dish detergent, garbage bags

What you'll want to remember when it comes to tech is to bring the extra things like SD cards, chargers and batteries.
Key Items To Remember: Camera, phone, docking stations, iPod, laptop, flashlight

Cottage country at the beginning and end of the season can be a little chilly, so plan for indoor and outdoor activities.
Key Items To Remember: Board games, fishing supplies, cards, Frisbee, movies, books

While you may not end up needing it, it’s a good idea to have a stationery items on hand just in case.
Key Items To Remember: Notepads, pens, post cards

Cottage country is more for relaxing than dressing up, so keep things casual. Keep the length of your trip in mind when considering quantity, but remember some clothes can be repeated.
Key Items To Remember: Shirts, pants, shorts, underwear, multiple swimsuits, sweaters, pajamas, shoes

These are some of the most commonsense items to bring along, but are often the ones we forget. You might want to bring along things like makeup, contact solution and face wash.
Key Items to Remember: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, tissue paper, shaving supplies

Keep things casual, but you may want to throw in a dress or accessories if you’re attending a barbeque, or dining out.
Key Items to Remember: Casual shirts, pants, shorts, bras and underwear, multiple swimsuits, sweater, pajamas, shoes

If you're planning on firing up the BBQ, you want to make sure you have everything you need to make those fantastic burgers. It's also a good idea to know what kind of BBQ it is.
Key Items to Remember: charcoal, lighter fluid, mitts, tongs, cleaning tools, BBQ brush, spatula, gas